Abang Johari (centre) speaks to reporters in South Korea today. – Ukas photo
KUCHING (Nov 12): The Sarawak government is offering educational opportunities to Muslim children from the Pacific Islands to further their studies at international Islamic schools in the state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari, who is also Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia & the Pacific (Riseap) president, said the initiative reflects Sarawak’s commitment to assisting fellow member countries in empowering Muslim communities.
“I have informed the Riseap Executive Committee that we in Sarawak have established an international Islamic school. We will provide opportunities for Muslim children from the Pacific Islands, where access to education is limited, to study in Sarawak at our schools.
“This will strengthen ties between communities within Riseap and those countries,” he said according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report after chairing Riseap’s 36th Executive Committee Meeting in South Korea today.
He added that the initiative will help strengthen ties between communities within Riseap and their respective countries.
Malaysia had previously implemented a similar programme to support the Muslim community in Bosnia, Abang Johari noted.
He said the approach aligns with the concept of dakwah bil hal, which focuses on empowering the global Muslim community through meaningful action.
“Given the current socio-economic conditions, we feel it is part of our religious duty to provide opportunities for a few students, two, three, or even ten, to study at our international Islamic schools as residential scholars until they reach higher levels of education.
“In the end, they will return to their home countries and contribute back to their own nations,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Abang Johari reported that Riseap had received several updates on activities carried out by member countries.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Economy Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, Riseap honorary secretary Dato Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, Sarawak Islamic Council president Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti Datuk Kipli Yasin, and other Riseap executive members.
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